April 2017
The Messenger
Tears, Peace and the Risen Savior - Pastor Mike Mirakian
God has promised He will wipe away all our tears when we join Him in heaven (Rev. 21:4). That
promise brings comfort and assurance. One day, all the reasons for sorrow and pain and fear will be removed,
and we will enjoy the perfect peace and joy of God’s glory forever. But we aren’t in heaven yet, so sometimes
we cry.
Mary Magdalene knew about tears. She lived a hard life before meeting Jesus and, even after placing
her faith in the Savior, probably suffered, like we all do, sorrow and loss. We know she cried the morning of
the resurrection.
Mary was among the first to discover Jesus’ tomb was empty, but she didn’t immediately understand
that He was alive. So, she lingered in the garden crying. Her tears spoke of pain, disappointment and fear.
According to John’s gospel, two angels at the empty tomb asked Mary about her tears, and then moments later, Jesus asked her the same question: “Why are you crying?” Through her tears and sorrow, she didn’t recognize Jesus until He spoke her name.
Why are you crying? Even though we know the wonderful truth of the Easter story and have the hope
of heavenly joy, we still cry. Life is hard sometimes. People we love get sick. People die. Things we hope for
remain out of reach. Dreams fall apart. Relationships fail. Life in this broken world makes us cry.
I often see tears in hospital rooms and funeral homes, but I imagine most tears are shed in private with
only our gracious God to witness and count them as they fall. And be assured that God does see your tears, and
just as Jesus wept aloud when His friend Lazarus was in the tomb, our God weeps with us in moments of sorrow.
When Jesus asked Mary, “Why are you crying?” He was not mocking her or belittling her pain. Instead, He was inviting her to wipe away the tears and see clearly the wonderful truth that He is risen.
Later that day, Jesus appeared with the disciples and twice spoke words of blessing and comfort:
“Peace be with you.” The Spirit continues to offer this blessing over our lives. Jesus is risen, and He gives us
peace. That good news helps dry our tears.
Psalm 126:5 promises, “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” Mary received that
promise when she recognized her risen Lord, and we hold to the same promise even through times of sorrow
and disappointment.
After Mary dried her eyes and hugged her Savior, she went off to share the good news. Now, that is our
mission. We rejoice in Jesus’ resurrection, and we invite others to celebrate with us. We wipe our tears with
the peace Jesus offers, and we reach out to others, asking, “Why are you crying?” We listen to their needs and
offer the love of our Savior.
I hope our celebration of Jesus’ resurrection brings you joy and peace in the coming days. Whatever
struggles you face, whatever may come your way, Jesus wants to wipe away your tears with the hope of healing and restoration.
Jesus is risen. We will rise. Peace be with you.
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Youth Ministry
BCC Annual Meeting
The Broadway Covenant Church
Annual Meeting will be held on
Sunday, May 21st with dinner
after worship and the meeting to
follow. Mark your calendar,
plan now to attend and look for
more information soon.
We are nearing the end of March, and in full throttle for Easter season! Lent is almost over and I am
excited to celebrate another resurrection season
with all of you! For April we are looking at the
Sunday of the 23rd for our regularly schedule
youth group meeting. As of right now that is the
ONLY Sunday for April, otherwise potentially we
could meet on Easter Sunday but I imagine family plans will trump all of that. I will keep everyone updated! Thanks for reading and please continue to pray for the group as we are entering
Paul's letter to the churches and the topics are controversial and riveting. Pray that our hearts would
be open to receiving the scriptures
Spring Outside Clean-up
Please come on Saturday, April
8th to help us get the church
grounds cleaned up for Easter.
Bring rakes and gloves; we can
use the help any time after 8:30
a.m. Many hands make light
work, and the fellowship is great, so
come for as long as you can and bring a
friend.
Sharing Our Stories
My name is Kathi Engstrom and I have been a part of this church since I was born. In fact, my mother
was pregnant with me when she and my dad were helping to start this church. They were charter members of
Broadway and they, along with many others of that time period, literally built this church with their own
hands.
I spend my youth involved with Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Sunday services, Confirmation, and later on Eaguilburn (as we called youth group in the late 60s). And it was during my Confirmation
years that I accepted Christ as my savior at a Dave Wilkerson rally. During my years at Broadway my faith
became my own and was nurtured by the people who served here.
After graduating from, and then working at Western Illinois University for two years, I had the great
opportunity to move to Washington, DC and work in the Geography and Map Division at the Library of Congress for 30 years. During those years I attended Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church where God used the
people of that church to help develop my faith even more. God blessed me at that church with great teaching
and great friends.
I retired in 2006 and returned to live in Rockford where I had the privilege of having my parents live
with me until their deaths in 2013 and 2014. It has been a blessing to be back at Broadway after more than 30
years away. An added benefit is I have been able to serve alongside friends of my youth whose faith has continued to grow here at Broadway.
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April
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
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2
3
9:00 Sunday
School
10:15 Worship
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8:30 Morning
Prayer
9:30 Women’s
Fellowship
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6
9:00 Sunday
School
10:15 Worship
Palm
Sunday
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8:30 Easter
Breakfast
10:15 Worship
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6:30 Cub Scouts
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8:30 Morning
Prayer
9:30 Women’s
Fellowship
6:30 Girl Scouts
6:30 LT Meeting
6:30 RG Meeting
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Happy Easter
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8:30 Outside
Clean-up
10:30 Men’s
Bible Study
6:00 Carol Circle
Potluck
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7
8:30 Morning
Prayer
9:30 Women’s
Fellowship
11:30 60 Plus at
Stockholm
Inn
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24
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9:00 Sunday
School
10:15 Worship
YOUTH
Messenger news 8:30 Morning
due in office
Prayer
9:30 Women’s
Fellowship
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13
14
15
21
22
28
29
10:30 Men’s
Bible Study
6:30 Maundy
Thursday
Soup
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20
10:30 Men’s
Bible Study
6:30 Cub Scouts
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27
No Men’s
Bible Study
6:30 Girl Scouts
7:00 Mission
Meeting
6:30 Cub Scouts
30
9:00 Sunday
School
10:15 Worship
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Serving in April
Head Usher:
Steve Schweitzer
Counters:
Bill Forsen & Steve James
Birthdays
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3
6
7
10
12
13
19
20
21
22
23
24
26
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Aiden Gasmund
Pat Johnson
Joyce Cosman
Kendra Ecklund
Kellen Price
Meagan Haase
Grace Hulstedt
Theresa Gregorcy
April Parker
Brian Beyerl
Kristi Swanson
Virginia Roen
Karlee Swanson
Toni Cartwright
Alice Tsai
Doug Boettcher
Jeff Brown
Jamise Roberts
Don Davis
Dan Hitchcock
Kari Whitney
Jeff Irelan
Nursery Workers:
4/2
Laura Mirakian & Cathy Alexander
4/9
Stacey Parlapiano & Kim Lape
4/16 Jeanine Heck & April Parker
4/23 Kevin McCulloch & Amy Breese
4/30 Beth Pasch & Barbara Rehnberg
Coffee Schedule:
4/2
Wes & Sue Nelson
4/9
Dan & Aina Hitchcock
4/16 Judi Papka
4/23 Gene & Colleen Felts
4/30 Wes & Sue Nelson
Remember in Prayer
Justin Murdock, Ft. Sill, OK
Fred Pearson undergoing cancer treatment.
Joyce Boyk undergoing cancer treatment.
Richard Slack recovering from surgery.
Louise Larson recovering from a fall.
Thank You
Thank you for the many birthday cards I received to help me celebrate by 90th Birthday. Peggy Frint
Special Birthdays
Help Grace Hulstedt celebrate her 95th birthday on April 13th and
Ginny Roen celebrate her 95th birthday on April 21st by sending
them birthday cards to - 3470 N. Alpine Rd. 61114.
Thank you from their families.
Anniversaries
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11
16
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Theresa & Perry Gregorcy
Gene & Louise Peterson
Roy & Janel Leidahl
William & Kathryn Forsen
Carrie & Paul Pretzer
60 Plus
Join 60 Plus for lunch April 18th, 11:30 at Stockholm Inn. Please call your reservation to Peggy,
815-282-0640 by April 16th and let her know if you
need a ride. Once again we serve the Fairhaven Retirement Home Birthday Party on June 27th. We need to have a program that lasts for 15/20 minutes and are looking for suggestions. Please let Karen or Peggy know if you have any suggestions.
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Mission Report
Maundy Thursday
This month we are
praying for Alaska
Christian College
located in Soldotna
Alaska. “The vision of Alaska Christian College is
to empower Alaska Natives through biblicallybased education and Christian formation to pursue
excellence in character, learning and service as
followers of Christ.” One example of this is a student of ACC who grew up in a small village of
Western Alaska. Growing up she had trouble in
school and began to think that she would not be
able to achieve anything. Before coming to ACC
she got involved with Young Life Student Ministry (a ministry helping high school student build
relationships that lead to Christ). She also was
very interested in learning to fly. She decided to
major in Christian Ministry. Her college experience has been a growing experience. She has been
able to get Christian counseling and support of
mentors and staff. She says “ACC has been an encouraging experience. I have learned that even in
the darkness God is still present.” She began flight
school last fall and will get her pilots license soon.
When she completes her studies at ACC she plans
to help bring Young Life Ministries to her village
and surrounding areas. She wants to be a positive
influence to those in rural Alaska and to help break
the cycle of alcoholism and abuse. Their prayer
requests are:
• Praise for students who have worked to be
successful in their studies.
• Praise for ACC alumni who are making a positive difference in their communities.
• Pray for volunteer teams who are preparing to
help ACC build Taikuu Residence Hall this
summer.
Peter and Anna
• Pray for weekly couples mentoring time- clear
communication (Peter & Anna) and openness
to share (couples).
• Pray for new support groups being formed.
Fabio & Johnna Muniz - Japan
Praise for safe arrival of new daughter Julia Christine born on February 7th. Both mother and daughter are doing fine.
Broadway Covenant will host a soup and
communion service the evening of April
13th at 6:00 p.m. Plan to join
us and sign up in the front lobby or call the church office by
Monday, April 10th.
Community Good Friday Service
Bethesda Covenant Church will host this event on
Friday, April 14th from noon until 3:00 p.m. Plan to
attend and hear 7 people speak on the last words of
Christ.
Easter Breakfast
Men’s Ministry will be serving breakfast from 8:30 10:00 a.m. on Easter morning. A minimum contribution of $3 for children under 12 and $5 for adults
with a family cost of $15 is suggested. All your donations are appreciated as money will be used for
maintenance of women's vehicles on “Make a Difference
Day”. Please sign up in the front
lobby or call the office by Thursday April 13th to make your reservation.
Easter Plants
We will be having another glorious display of spring flowers and lilies for our
Easter service this year. Fill out this
form or call the office to reserve your
plant. The price is $16 and checks
should be made out to Broadway Covenant Church with “Easter Plant” in the memo.
Given by: _________________________________
__________________________________________
In memory of: _____________________________
_________________________________________
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April 2017
Broadway Covenant
Church
3525 Broadway
Rockford, IL 61108
Senior Pastor - Mike Mirakian
Youth Director - Skyler Retzlaff
Phone - (815)399-9296
Fax - (815)399-7860
We’re on the Web
www.broadwaycovenant.com
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